HA NOI — Female scientists were honoured for their contributions to scientific advancement yesterday at the 25th anniversary of the Viet Nam Kovalevskaia Prize.

The committee presented prizes to three outstanding female scientists, Phan Thi Tuoi, former principal of the HCM City University of Technology, associate professor Pham Thi Thuy from the Viet Nam Institute of Agricultural Science and associate professor Le Thi Thuy from the Breeding Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

"The results of their studies have been applied in many fields, contributing to increases in economic efficiency, labour productivity and improving working conditions for the community," said Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.

The President's Friendship Medal was also presented to Professors Ann and Neal Koblitz, the founders and sponsors of the Kovalevskaia Fund, by Vice President Doan.

Doan urged female scientists to continue conducting research into improving the country's growth quality and encouraged more youth to contribute to scientific research.

Chairwoman of the Viet Nam Kovalevskaia Prize Committee Nguyen Thi Binh stressed that the anniversary was evidence of the ability and engagement of Vietnamese women in the field of science.

But to meet the demands of national development, women must strive to help the country keep up with regional and international development, she added.

The Viet Nam Kovalevskaia Prize Committee, which was named after the outstanding Russian mathematician and scientist, Sophia Kovalevskaia, was inaugurated in 1985 to recognise scientific achievements made by Vietnamese women.

Over the past 25 years, the committee has given the award to 31 individuals and 15 groups of female scientists across the natural and applied sciences. — VNS